The general with medals and ribbons turns to Lord Pytherian and asks, “You can’t be taking him serious?”
“Absolutely,” he assures him. “For a couple reasons. One, Black Hawk here would hardly tie his fortune with a losing enterprise. And two, I’ve seen what he can do. For those of you who don’t know who he is, this is the mage James.”
Eyes widen in surprise at that. He hardly looks the magical type. “This is the James we have been hearing so much about?” one asks.
“That’s right,” replies Lord Pytherian. “The one who rescued me, who saved the forces from annihilation to the south last summer, and who turned the tide after the Empire broke through the gates. If he says he can do it, we should at least give him the benefit of the doubt.”
“I want a temple built in the City of Light,” he explains. “It has to be built on its previous site, no other.”
“But that’s currently in the hands of the Empire,” one man says. “And by all reports, they’ve strengthened the garrison there and have all but rebuilt its outer wall. How do you propose to do that?”
“How is my business,” he tells them. “If I can do this, will you rebuild the temple?”
Lord Pytherian looks at each of the assembled military leaders in turn. He can see their doubt and has to admit, he has his own as well. “Yes,” he finally says. “If you drive the Empire from Madoc, then we will build your temple.”
“What have we got to lose?” the youngest of those gathered states. “Either he does it and a temple would be a small price to pay, or he doesn’t and we’re out no troops.”
“When do you propose to begin?” medals and ribbons asks.
Illan glances to James and says, “Why don’t I stay here and get an idea of what we’re up against. You go on back and I’ll meet up with you later.”
“Very well,” he says. Getting to his feet, he gives Lord Pytherian a slight bow and says, “Good to meet you again, milord.”
“You too James,” he replies. “We’ll talk more about this later.”
James nods and then turns to leave the room. Out in the hall, he shuts the door and makes his way out of the castle and to the plaza where the others have set up camp. When he gets there, he finds Jiron and Delia have already set up their tents, Devin having just completed putting up his.
“Are we on?” Jiron asks.
Nodding, James says, “Yes. Illan’s still up there with Lord Pytherian going over the layout of the enemy, troop numbers, that sort of stuff.”
“When do we begin?” asks Miko. The others from The Ranch gather around to hear his answer.
“Time for some payback!” exclaims Stig. Stig was one of those from the fight pits in the City of Light and lost many friends when the City fell.
“We’ll be able to determine our course of action once Illan returns,” he says. “Until then, we should relax as best we can and get some rest. Once this all begins we may not have the opportunity for awhile.”
“Your tent is ready,” Devin says coming up to him.
“Thank you,” he replies. “I’m going to rest until he gets back. Let me know the instant he does.”
“I will sir,” Devin assures him.
Walking over to his tent, he sees Ceadric already has his men bivouacked and a mess already established. Entering his tent, he closes the flap and then lies down on his cot. He feels bad he’s one of the few who has one. The others insisted saying most of what’s to come will rest upon him and that he needs his rest. Comfort always being important to him, he didn’t argue the point too hard.
Lying down, he lets the cares of the day drift away as he succumbs to sleep.
The smell of summer is in the air. All around him the flowers are in bloom and the tall grass is like the ocean as the refreshing breeze forms waves of bending stalks. The rolling hills are alive with animals both small and large, birds take flight and fill the air with their song.
He stops in his tracks when a familiar sound comes to him, the music of a calliope. Excited, he hurries toward it and finds a carnival nestled in among the hills. The tall Ferris wheel stands majestically in the center with other rides extending outward from it like spokes inside a wheel.
As he hurries down the hill, the smell of scones and funnel cakes reaches him and his stomach growls. Aside from cotton candy, those are the other two musts at any carnival or fair.
Walking forward to purchase a funnel cake, he can almost taste the powder sugar. Sure, they’re extremely messy and he usually ends up coated in the white confectionary powder, but he doesn’t care. It’s all part of the fair experience. Reaching into his back pocket for his wallet, he’s shocked to find he’s left it behind.
Standing there with mouth watering and a feeling of extreme disappointment, he can only look at the freshly made funnel cake on display before him. It takes an almost insurmountable force of will to turn away, but he manages it. Dejected, he walks away.
Refusing to let his lack of funds ruin his day he puts it out of his mind and walks through the carnival. Strangely enough, it seems as if except for the carnies, he’s the only one there. Glancing from ride to ride, he sees that though they’re in motion and functioning, no one is riding them. Decidedly strange.
He reaches into his front pocket and withdraws a ride ticket, how he came to possess it he hasn’t a clue. But when fortune smiles upon you, don’t ask questions. Each ride boasts a sign signifying a single ticket is all that’s required to ride.
It’s hard to choose a single ride from so many. He walks along gazing first one way and then another, trying to make up his mind. Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, he catches a glimpse of a golden haired girl.
When he turns to look, he sees her moving away from him quickly down a side aisle, her flowing golden hair bouncing with each step. Surprised and pleased to find another person here besides himself, he rushes after her. Something about her strikes a chord of remembrance, but what it is eludes him.
“ Wait a minute!” he hollers, hoping she will pause long enough for him to reach her. But she fails to respond to his plea in any way and continues toward a ride at the edge of the carnival.
No matter how fast he runs, he’s unable to close the distance before she reaches the ride. It’s the Tunnel of Love. She hands her ride ticket over to the carnie and gets in one of the boats which will take her through the entrance.
“ Hold that boat!” he yells, trying to increase his speed. Then he watches in frustration as the boat carrying the girl leaves the loading dock and sails upon the water toward the entrance to the ride.
He reaches the loading dock and the carnie asks, “Ticket?”
Holding out his hand, he realizes his ticket is no longer there. Looking around in anxiety, he discovers the ticket lying on the ground back the way he had come. He runs toward it just as a gust of wind picks it up and blows it still further away. Running, he finally reaches the ticket and grasps hold of it.
Turning back to the Tunnel of Love, he sees the boat bearing the golden haired girl has just passed through the entrance. He hurries back to the loading dock and gives the carnie his ticket.
“ Step carefully please,” the carnie says as he takes the ticket and motions for him to step into the first boat.
Moving into the boat quickly, he takes his seat. The carnie pulls the lever releasing the boat and he begins drifting along with the current toward the entrance. He peers inside but is unable to make out the boat bearing the golden haired girl, or anything else for that matter.
Upon reaching the entrance, he’s able to see inside a little and upon the right side of the tunnel is a large, heart shaped picture with two white lights shining forth. As he passes through the entrance, he’s able to see the golden haired girl far ahead of him.
“Excuse me sir.”
Feeling as if he’s being wrenched awake, he yells, “No!” He glances around and sees Devin standing there at the tent flap, a worried expression upon his face. The dream begins to slip away though he tries to retain the memory.
“Are you okay sir?” asks Devin.
Trying to recall what it was that was so important, all he’s left with is a feeling of loss. Looking to Devin, he says, “Yeah.” Sitting up, he puts his head in his hands and feels the last vestige of the dream slip from him.
“Illan’s returned,” he tells him.
“Thank you,” he replies.
